Dimasheq – Damascus
In a step aimed at preserving Syria’s artistic heritage and reviving the legacy of its pioneering artists, Syrian Minister of Culture Mohammad Yassin Al-Saleh has ordered the restoration of the studio of the late renowned painter Fateh Moudarres, coinciding with the anniversary of his passing. The project forms part of a national initiative entitled “Restoring Syria’s Artistic Memory”, implemented in cooperation with the Damascus Foundation for Culture, Thought, Arts and Development, under the supervision of its representative, visual artist Khaled Al-Attar.
The initiative seeks to preserve artists’ studios, collections, and creative spaces associated with Syria’s most prominent visual artists, recognizing them as an integral part of the nation’s cultural memory. These spaces will be transformed into vibrant centers dedicated to documentation, exhibitions, research, and cultural and artistic activities.
The Ministry of Culture affirmed that Fateh Moudarres’ studio holds exceptional artistic and historical significance, as it witnessed the creation of many of his most celebrated works, which established him as one of the leading pioneers of modern Arab visual art in the twentieth century. The restoration project will include rehabilitating the building, preserving its original character, and conserving its contents to ensure its long-term sustainability and accessibility for future generations.
The Damascus Foundation for Culture, Thought, Arts and Development will oversee the implementation of the project in coordination with the Ministry of Culture and under the artistic supervision of Khaled Al-Attar. The work will be carried out in accordance with a cooperation agreement involving the studio’s administration and artist Issam Darwish, ensuring the highest standards of historical and artistic preservation.
The decision is part of the Ministry’s broader vision to launch a series of initiatives dedicated to documenting and safeguarding Syria’s artistic heritage while restoring recognition to the places that shaped the country’s visual arts movement. These efforts aim to strengthen their presence within Syria’s cultural landscape and reaffirm the importance of investing in the nation’s collective memory as a cornerstone of identity and creativity.
Fateh Moudarres is regarded as one of Syria’s greatest visual artists, leaving behind a remarkable artistic and intellectual legacy that continues to attract scholars, critics, and art enthusiasts both in Syria and abroad. His works remain enduring testimonies to a groundbreaking creative journey that profoundly influenced the history of Syrian art.
Born in Aleppo in 1922, Fateh Moudarres was one of the founding figures of modernism in Syrian and Arab visual art. He studied fine arts in Rome before returning to Syria, where he played a central role in shaping the country’s contemporary visual arts movement.
His distinctive artistic style drew inspiration from the Syrian landscape, mythology, humanity, and collective memory, giving Syrian painting a unique visual identity that earned widespread international recognition. Throughout his career, he participated in numerous exhibitions in Syria and abroad, while his works became part of prestigious museum and institutional collections around the world.
Although Fateh Moudarres passed away in the summer of 1999, his artistic and intellectual influence continues to resonate across the Arab art scene. His studio is regarded as one of the most significant physical landmarks of his creative legacy, making its restoration far more than a preservation project—it is an effort to safeguard an essential chapter of Syria’s artistic and cultural memory.
